The doldrums are no more

This past Christmas was great. I got everything I wanted. Time with family, conversation, fun with cute nephew/nieces, and plenty of memories.

It takes a few weeks for all the holiday time excitement to settle in and the true blessings to become evident...

That time is past and hopefully you gleaned everything you could from those you love and don't see near enough. This time of winter it's fun to pull out those recent pictures and relive that holiday fun for a few minutes.

Some of my favorite things are ...

programs...

conversing...

concerting...

playing...

spoiling...

eating...

familly-ing...

Life is great! Family is fun! This snow will melt and spring will come...but until then, each day will be a new best.

Busche

In this powerful, Youtube video F. Enzio Busche, says, "When you are compelled to give up something that is dear to you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that as you are learning this lesson; God wants to give you something better."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2AibapAJfE

This is a classic talk and video. It means something totally different to me every time I listen and each time it just makes my day! There is something about the being around the best things that makes me better. And makes life easier and full of hope.

Take a few minutes and enjoy!

Haus is gone and I didn't die...yet

I received bitter-sweet news on Saturday and I should have seen it coming. I know in hind-sight it will be for the best though. Late Friday night I put an ad on KSL.com, it was for one of my best friends. Who can sell their best friend and traveling companion? I can, I guess. In the beginning of 2007 I found my dream truck. I drove it a 100,000 miles over the last four years.




This truck has been a therapists office to me over the years. I have laughed, cried, fell in and out of love, learned about God, and most importantly myself. All in this huge truck! I used to say, with some exaggeration that, it was the only truck that fit me.



It did fit me. Haus, as I lovingly refer to him, has been by my side through it all. High on the tops of mountains and down to the sand beaches. But I realize that Haus was one thing that has been holding me to a past life and it is time to let him go.




Haus reminds me of C.S Lewis', The Great Divorce. The main character in the book has an addiction or sin, personified as a disgusting black lizard, that he can't let go of. The Angel tells him that he must kill it and let it go or it will destroy him. This main character is deceived and thinks that if he try's to kill it, the opposite will happen and he will die.

I hope this doesn't seem dramatic to compare a truck to a deep addiction or sin. I think this truck has been one of my only worldly possessions that I feared giving up because not having it would somehow make me different or less me. I have been letting my possessions define me.



He sold within 12 hours of the ad going up. And there is dry patch in front of the house and in my heart where the memories we carried will always be. I guess this is the part of life when moving on is good. I won't miss paying for diesel though!

What's in your iPod?

I love new music...local is always my favorite.

Talented people in general that are singing in my ears helping me enjoy my commute and give me the break from work, these I consistently need.

These are part of my best playlist for the now.

Castillos new song, "Life blood" is amazing!

JP Haynie has been releasing some amazing stuff on his my space music site(the only good thing about myspace).



Ok Ikumi, electronically moves my soul.

Deer Tick's "Ashamed" and Midlake's, "Roscoe", makes me think about my soul and life.

And The Magnetic Fields have been telling me in a joyous way that my heart might be in need of a warranty exchange, "I think I need a new heart"

And Finally Sufjan Stevens is healing continually healing me and humanizing feelings of life/love perspective.

I can't get these and a few others to turn off my playlist.
Or as I told JP Haynie once when his CD is was totally stuck in my car disc player, "I love your new album, I can't get it out of my my CD player!" He took it as a great compliment to this day.


What is pounding in your ears and thumping YOUR heart these days?

Much to Enjoy

Friday evening I had the pleasure of supporting the local arts in Utah. A good friend of mine, Lisa Fraser, played an amazing show in an unusual location. Nestled in the east bench a friend and supporter of Lisa hosted the show in their gorgeous home. It was the perfect setting to relax reflect and enjoy the music and company.




Lisa plays the acoustic guitar and sings some of the most emotional folk music that I have ever heard. So emotional, in fact, that just listening to her sing about her life's journey, took me deep into recollection of my own journey through life thus far. Goodness though, life is such a fun adventure totally worth living to the fullest! The good, the bad, and the in between.


Sorry for the extremely grainy picture!
If You want to hear or purchase some of Lisa's music you should check out her website. http://lisafraser.com/music/

Learning Continues

There is one great school in Salt Lake City. Any guesses which one it is? The school colors are red and black. Many great people have gone to this school and it's the new alma mater of my little brother Jefferson (he graduated in December). And will be my school by fall if I stick to the plans that are rolling along.

There is something about the city and being in school in the city that is very appealing. I am happy to be moving away from the doldrums of big business(still love small business and entrepreneurship)and toward psychology and hopefully a place that I can truly help people overcome their individual struggles and understand people in a more profound way.



I got some great books from the Rowley's this Christmas. Original sources are my favorite and I am embarking on some great ones, Skinner and C. G. Jung. And I am sure I have many more theories to study and books to read and classes to take but I am so excited for the direction.

Educationally, I am a rough stone rolling I spent the first half of my life learning the hard way and now I love learning from those who came before me and wrote down their lesson's.

Some people are never satisfied, I am satisfied and I am going to continue...are you?

Bama bound!!

There are only a few places in this United States of America that I get excited to go.

I would begin in the place that I have resisted...Utah. Utah is a cold, but besides the weather I love it. Family, friends, great landscape, and that equals fun in my book. I get excited to come home to this desert, even knowing that no amount of Burt's bees chapstick will ease the cracking on my lips. The Jazz are past the Stockton and Malone days. So when Sloan is retires or dies(whichever comes first) I can fully embrace my love for this team. They are fun this year for sure.



Next would have to be my home state, Texas, Always fun and full of nostalgia. I got to enjoy 3 months of Dallas this past fall and saw Jonsi(of Sigur Ros an Icelandic band) play an amazing concert there. The farmers market is probably the best in the country and I was able to tag along on the playoff/World Series energy of the Rangers! I Was able to go water skiing in the bayou(very slow moving river with gaters)!




I am super excited to go to the great state of Alabama this summer to work! It will be fun to be close to Auburn and the University of Alabama. I have lots of family there. I spent many a summer in Mobile, Alabama, with my grandparents. I have some amazing family and a rich history in the south that I hope to meet and re-meet and enjoy some time with. This is an adventure I truly look forward too!

days gone by...Auld Lang Syne

After a great couple of Holiday weeks filled with family and fun.....



It is super fun to review all the fun accomplishment of the last year...

And start planning for this next year...

School...

The Real South...

Another Marathon...

50k...

The Race is on!